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Parent Involvement

Visit the parent portal to access information about instructional programs,
enrollment procedures, DOE rules and regulations, health and support services,
as well as news and other resources.

See below the handbook for helpful websites for parents!

THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

The first week of school there will be half days for Pre-K

and Kindergarten students (September 9th and 10th).

We understand that for some children (and parents)

separation may be difficult.For safety purposes, please do

not enter the building.We would like you to understand that

your child will be cared for by capable professionals.Staff

members will be available to assist your child in making a

smooth transition.We suggest that to minimize anxiety parents should leave as soon as possible.

SCHOOL HOURS

School will begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 2:35 p.m. Monday through Friday.Selected students will attend extended session Monday through Thursday from 2:35 to 3:12.5 p.m.

MORNING ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

All children will enter the school building through the front doors.Breakfast begins at 7:50 a.m.Children who wish to eat breakfast will go directly downstairs to the cafeteria.Kindergarten and Grade 1 children will be seated in the cafeteria.All other children will proceed upstairs to the auditorium.

***For the safety of the children***

DO NOT DOUBLE PARK on Jefferson Street for ANY reason.

Also,U-turns are extremely dangerous – especially during arrival and dismissal.Please drop your child off on Garretson, Cromwell or as close as possible to the stop sign at Garretson and Jefferson.Please DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL so that buses may drop the children off safely directly in front of the school.

CAFETERIA

P.S. 11 is recognized as a Universal Feeding Site, which entitlesall students to free breakfast and lunch.The breakfast program will begin at 7:50 a.m. and run through 8:15 a.m. daily.

Lunch will be served daily in the cafeteria as well.If you prefer, you may send your child a lunch from home.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY LIQUID IN A GLASS CONTAINER.IN ADDITION, BE SURE TO SEND IN HEALTHY SNACKS SUCH AS FRUIT OR A SMALL BAG OF PRETZELS.PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SENDING YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH SODA.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Please note that bus stops are determined by the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT 784-3313).The school does not determine bus stops.You will be assigned a stop nearest your home at kindergarten registration.At present, Pioneer Bus Company (718) 984-8077 holds the contract for school bus service.

A school aide will meet the students arriving by bus and escort them into the building.At dismissal, they will be escorted to the bus by a school aide as well.Children in kindergarten and first grade must wear tags stating their name, class and bus stop for the first few weeks of school.

***If there is no one to meet your child at the bus stop, they will be taken back to the school.Students who do not behave on the bus will not be allowed to ride the bus.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

The citywide decision to close or delay the opening of school during stormy weather or during an emergency canonly be made by the Chancellor.The decision will be made as early as possible prior to 6:00 a.m. on the affected day.Television and radio stations, such as WINS (1010 AM) and WCBS (880 AM), will broadcast information on school closings and delays.PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL EARLIER THAN 8:00 a.m.

SCHOOL NURSE

P.S. 11 has a Registered Nurse on staff every day.When a child is ill, they will be sent to the nurse’s office.She will take their temperature and care for minor cuts and bruises.If the nurse deems it necessary, she will contact you (or your emergency contact) to take your child home.If your child has an ongoing medical condition, you are requested to speak with the nurse for further instructions.Medications, including aspirin or Tylenol, are not to be given out by the school nurse.

In the event that your child may have a condition which is communicable to other children, we ask that you pick up your child as quickly as possible.

WHEN A NOTE IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

A note to the teacher becomes absolutely necessary when your child’s regular routine is changed.For example:

1.Your child is walking home rather than taking the bus.

2.You are picking up your child at a time other than dismissal.

3.Your child will not be attending an after school program such as UAU, Girl Scouts or Newspaper Club.

4.You have authorized another person or family member to pick up your child.

5.When your child returns from an absence.

6.When you change your address or phone number (please also see the school secretary).

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Please use the main entrance only.Proceed to the Security Desk where you are required to show identification and sign in.The Safety Agent will issue you a pass to the general office.Parents are not permitted in the school building unless they have an appointment, meeting, PTA business or special circumstance.

NO ONE MAY GO DIRECTLY TO A CLASSROOM DURING THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY.

***It's imperative that there be no double-parking on Jefferson Street when visiting, dropping-off or picking up at P.S. 11.

PARENT/TEACHERCONFERENCES

The education of your child is a partnership between the home and school.Parents and teachers who work together make all the difference in the educational experiences of our youngsters.You will have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher in the fall and spring.All parents and guardiansstrongly encouraged to attend.Conferences with the classroom teachers are by appointment only.

DATES FOR PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

Fall 2009

Tuesday,November 10, 2009 (Afternoon and Evening)

Spring 2010

Tuesday,March 16, 2010 (Afternoon and Evening)

Sometimes it becomes necessary to make contact with the teacher beyond the fall and spring conferences.Any issue that may arise during the course of the year should be addressed in the proper manner between the parent and classroom teacher. Please call (718) 979-1030 to schedule an appointment.The faculty of PS 11 will be happy to accommodate you.

Report Cards

Report cards are distributed twice a year for students in Kindergarten beginning in January/February.They are issued three times a year forGrades 1-5 students(November, March, June). PLEASE NOTE THE COMMENTS ON THE BACK OF THE REPORT CARD, AS THEY STATE YOUR CHILD'S ACADEMIC GOALS….

4.If there is a court order, a certified document must be on file at the school and it must indicate on the Blue Card.

Once again, please write a note and see the school secretary if any of your information changes. These changes must be made in the ATS Computer System.

WE URGE YOU TO FOLLOW THESE

SECURITY MEASURES TO ASSURE THE SAFETY

OF ALL THE CHILDREN AND STAFF AT P.S. 11

INTERNET POLICY

The Department of Education has set guidelines for schools to follow in the use of the Internet as a teaching and learning tool.P.S.11 provides students access to the Internet in the classrooms.Permission slips must be signed and returned to your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year.

CCD

All pupils attending released-time programs must have a notification card on file in the office from the parish, which includes the dates and time of the program.No child will be dismissed without a parent unless the child is attending CD at St. Ann’s on Wednesday afternoons.Parents are responsible to pick up their children from parish CCD programs.

***PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF THESE PROCEDURES ARE FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN… PLEASE FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY***

NO CELL PHONE POLICY

According to Chancellor’s Regulations, NO student is allowed to carry a cell phone in school. Please understand that there are many adults in the building who care for your child’s safety, including an NYPD School Safety Agent. Please refer to A412 for further information.

Please also make sure your child does NOT come to school with video games, expensive toys, playing cards, etc.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

LATCHKEY

Students may participate in P.S. 11’s after school Latch Key program.Once again,United Activities Unlimited (UAU) will run Latch Key, which begins directly after school at 2:35 P.M. and runs until 6:00 P.M. (except on half-days and holidays).Latch key operates on a self-sustaining basis with a fee collected monthly by the Latch Cottager-in-Charge.Children are given an opportunity to play, participate in art activities, socialize,complete homework, etc.Children should dress appropriately as they do go outside, weather permitting.

Applications are available in the main office.More information to follow…..

Other after-school programs included:

·Tutorials

·Family Nights

·Parent Workshops

·Boy/Girl Scouts, Good News Club

·After-School Dance

·Newspaper Club (pending funding)

·PTA Events

These activities will be offered throughout the school year.Flyers and information will be sent home accordingly.

COMMENDATION SYSTEM

Each class will be rewarded for the following:

1.100% Attendance(All students must be present in order to receive this class commendation).

2.Morning Arrival(All students must be ON TIME in order to receive this class commendation.Morning reading and excellent behavior will also earn a class a commendation).

3.Lunch(All students must enter and exit the cafeteria properly, follow rules for a safe lunch, etc. to receive this class commendation).

***Talk to your child about the Commendation System.They are very excited to earn a reward(i.e. pizza party, field trip) for their class so please help them achieve success!***

Commendation cards are given on a daily basis.At the end of each month, the three classes with the most commendation cards receive a reward.

LIST OF FORMS NEEDED FOR ALL STUDENTS

1.Updated Emergency Home Contact Blue Cards (2)

2.Permission to be photographed or filmed

3.UAU Latch-Key form

4.Section 504 for special accommodations

5.Annual Individual Education Plan (IEP)for Special Education

6.Requested medical notices from the school nurse (e.g. Immunization Forms)

7.Internet Policy notice

8.School Parent/Child Compact (Title 1)

9.Discipline Code (Parent AND Child)

10.Dismissal Procedure (list of adult who picks up your child)

11.Parent Signature page that you have read this handbook and discussed any pertinent information with your child.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL

**It is imperative to check your child’s book bag EACHNIGHT for important school notices and information regarding upcoming events. **

PLEASE SIGN ANY“TEAR-OFFS” AND RETURN BY THE INDICATED DATE.

(i.e.:Half-day slips, Parent/Teacher Conference notes)

* Any class (100%) that returns a tear-off the following day will receive a prize from the school secretary, Ms. Howe.*

A calendar of events will be sent home at the beginning of each month and will also be displayed at the main entrance/rear exits.Information about school events can be disseminated via email.If you haven’t done so already, please contact the parent coordinator with your email address.

Homework will be given EVERY NIGHT, Monday through Friday.Please review assignments with your child DAILY.

The parent coordinator, Mrs. Karen Gubnitsky is a wonderful person to contact for communication between home and school.The PTA is a great “link” as well.

***PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE TEACHERS, PRINCIPAL, PARENT COORDINATOR, AND PTA SO THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAVE A POSITIVE CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOL!!!

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1.SAFETY COMES FIRST!Blue Emergency Cards must always be up-to-date and complete, with three different working telephone numbers.Letthe office know OF ANY CHANGES!

2.Send your child to school every day(submit notes for absences)!

3.CHECK YOUR CHILD’S FOLDER EACH NIGHT AND RETURN ANY TEAR-OFFS IN A TIMELY FASHION.

4.Please refrain from signing your child out of school early.

5.NO DOUBLE PARKINGfor any reason.

6.Always call and make an appointment to meet with a teacher.

7.This is a partnership.Both the school and the community have a responsibility in educating our children.If there is a problem or a concern, please DO NOT HESITATE to contact us at (718) 979-1030.

8.Official school hours are 8:15 a.m.–2:35 p.m. Monday through Friday.Extended school times are 2:35-3:12.5 p.m. Monday through Thursday for selected students.

9.Contact Parent Coordinator for any concerns, (347) 563-4590.

10.All visitors must go directly to the School Safety Agent where they will be given a yellow and green Visitor’s Pass.NO PARENT IS PERMITTED TO GO DIRECTLY TO ANY CLASSROOM for the safety of the children.

11.Domestic quarrels do not have any place in our school.Our concerns are directly with our children’s instructional, health and social well being.

12.Let the teacher know IN WRITING if there are any changes in dismissal procedures (i.e.: not taking the bus, different person picking up).

STRICT ATTENDANCE POLICY

Public School 11 follows a strict code for student attendance:

·Phone call home after two absences (unless parent calls the school in advance)

·Postcards sent home for repeated absences / latenesses

·Parent letters and ATS attendance reports sent home for students who fall below 90%

PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL AT 718-979-1030 by 8:00AM IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL THAT DAY.DOCTOR/PARENT notes are required for an excused absence.

Remember:Chancellor’s Regulation mandates 90%attendance rate for all students as part of promotional criteria.Also, attendance is factored into the school’s annual Progress Report grade.

P.S.11 offers many special incentives to show gratitude for students who come to school every day and value education.

PLEASE SUPPORT US IN HELPING YOUR CHILD SUCCEED.

Our goal this year is to maintain a 94.3%attendance rate. Please remember that the month of June (particularly the LAST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL) are critical to helping us reach this goal…